Scottsboro City Council - Steroid Scandal - Sit Down With Mayor Potter and Chief Dawe

Tonight was a regular meeting of the Scottsboro City Council.

Prior to the council meeting I sat down with Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter and Chief of Police Ralph Dawe to discuss lingering concerns related to steroid abuse involving Scottsboro Police Officers. The following is a synopsis of that conversation.

I expressed my concern that the officer steroid scandal still looms as the question has not been answered concerning illegal steroid usage versus over the counter usage.

Paraphrased comments from Mayor Potter and Chief Dawe: The Officers involved work out with weights and apparently were taking diet supplements which contained steroids. Bad judgement is not the same as illegal use of prescription steroids. Any steroid usage is against department policy. As a result the violators of department policy were dealt with administratively. Chief Dawe assured me if he could prove the officers involved had violated any State or Federal Law, as difficult as it may have been, they would have been arrested.

Chief Dawe went on to say,  "this incident has damaged citizen trust and that trust must be earned." He assured me, and assures all, that the Scottsboro Police Department will do their best to insure citizen trust is earned and the Scottsboro Police Department will maintain high professional standards.

Mayor Potter stated,  "those involved will undergo enhanced drug screening for steroid usage. The officers involved are also receiving professional counseling."

I expressed concern to the Mayor that I thought he should inform the public of these additional facts as they are important and relevant to this situation and the public has a right to know all the facts concerning this case. The Mayor did not did not address the additional revelations at tonight's city council meeting.

I informed the Mayor and Chief Dawe that I would provide a synopsis of our meeting to the public.

Chief Dawe stated to me if anyone had any questions concerning this incident they could contact him at the Police Department and he would discuss any concerns with them.

Last Daily Sentinel article with discussion about the issue.  http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_221c8c2a-148c-11e1-a808-001cc4c03286.html?cbst=42 

City Council Agenda, click on agenda for an expanded view.

Jackson County Commission Meeting

This afternoon was a regular County Commission meeting. Left to right in photo seated at table: County Attorney John Porter, Commissioner Place 3 Gaylon Stone, Commissioner Place 4 Horace Clemmons, Chairperson of the Jackson County Commission Sadie Bias, County Administrator Sandra Erickson, Commissioner Place 1 Jack Smith, Commissioner Place 2 Jack Allen.

Agenda, click on image for an expanded view.

Major issues: a) Part time kitchen employee approved for the jail. b) Rate increase approved for County Park boat slips and camper spaces.  Daily Sentinel link: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_3e67a892-1b62-11e1-b322-001cc4c03286.html See rate increase list below. c) Jim Green appointed to the new Jackson County Dekalb County Industrial Board. d) All transfers and temporary employee hires must be approved by the full commission. Mr. Smith voted no on the issue. The issue passed on a majority vote. Daily Sentinel link: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_f8875796-1b61-11e1-8bbd-001cc4c03286.html e) Permit for sewer bid approved; Ladd Environmental Consultants will handle the permitting application and bid management for the sewer contract. f) Administration and engineering services contract will be opened on Nov 29, 2011 for the Rash Water System Project CY-CM-PF-11-003.

Jackson County Park Rate Increase list, click on image for an expanded view.

Update: The Daily Sentinel pays homage to Commissioner Clemmons- Commissioner claims he is not a politician. http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_36d1b232-1c78-11e1-999f-001871e3ce6c.html  Mr. Clemmons is a wealthy manipulating politician as I describe in the comments section of the article.

Scottsboro City Council Meeting - Mayors Statement Concerning Scottsboro Police Officer Suspension - Controlled Substance Abuse

Tonight was a City Council work session.
The Agenda:  1. Presentation by Matt Adams of Regions Bank concerning 2002 bond issue refinance. Mr. Adams stated there would be a savings of approximately $65K to $75K. There would be no extension of time on the bond issue, this is a reduction of interest. Different scenarios were discussed concerning savings distributions. The council members agreed that a lump sum payment would be the best option and suggested the amount of savings be applied to purchase a new roof for the library. The issue cannot be refinanced until the First Call date on the bonds which is Feb. 2012. Closing on the refinancing may begin 90 days prior to the First Call date according to the Regions Bank Representative.  Morgan Keegan preliminary Upfront Debt Service Savings and Level Debt Service Savings charts. Click on image for an expanded view.

2.City Wide Radio System purchase. 217 new radios will be purchased off of the State Bid List costing $213,540.13. This purchase is scheduled to comply with new public service frequency changes mandated by the Federal Government. 3. City Financial Director assistant discussed.

City Council Member Smith, above, suggests there be an assistant Finance Director appointed to fill in for Mr. Rick Wheeler in the case of an absence or the incapacitation of Mr. Wheeler (pictured below).

4. Emergency Planning discussion. The Mayor played a video produced by the Alabama League of Municipalities concerning the importance of disaster planning and mitigation.

      SCOTTSBORO POLICE,  STEROID SCANDAL

Reports: Mayor Melton Potter (pictured below) released a public statement concerning the incident involving the suspended Scottsboro Police Officers first reported in the Scottsboro Daily Sentinel on Wed., Nov 16, 2011. The story has also been extensively reported on WAFF, Ch 48 News.

Mayor Potter's Statement: "On November 9, 2011, after an internal investigation, four Scottsboro Police Department Officers were suspended without pay for the use of Testosterone. Lt. Shane Clarke, Officer Gerald Mount were suspended for 4 shifts. Officers Chris McIllwain and Jeremy Ake were suspended for 3 shifts."

"It is mine and Chief Dawe's belief that these are isolated incidents and are not indicative of an inherent problem within the department."

"I have complete confidence in the abilities of Chief Dawe and his staff concerning this investigation. We do not expect to uncover any more information concerning this matter at this time."

"The names and reasons for the suspension became public this morning in a court proceeding and that is why I am releasing this information at this time. It is still my belief and policy that information concerning our employees is confidential as long as no crimes are committed."

                               Police Chief Ralph Dawe

News Links concerning the Scottsboro Police Officer suspensions:  Daily Sentinel: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_221c8c2a-148c-11e1-a808-001cc4c03286.html?cbst=14  Nov 15, 2011 article: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_0fe53d78-0fdb-11e1-899c-001cc4c002e0.html


WAFF TV News: http://www.waff.com/story/16096228/scottsboro-police-officer-admits-to-using
http://www.waff.com/story/16060220/n  video link: http://www.waff.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=6477425&h1=Scottsboro%20Police%20Officer%20admits%20to%20using%20anabolic%20steroids&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=90166&LaunchPageAdTag=SearchResults&activePane=info&rnd=55288226
WAFF link with PDF of court documents: http://www.waff.com/story/16060220/n


Update Nov. 22, 2011 from WAFF: "Scottsboro mayor confirms illegal steroid abuse among officers -On Tuesday, Scottsboro's mayor finally confirmed the information after saying there was no cover up and no crime committed."   http://www.waff.com/story/16105675/scottsboro-mayor-confirms-illegal-steroid-abuse 

If you do not think there is something wrong with steroid usage, read these comments about what the "juiced up" community has to say about the police officers wife. Shocking comments from the "juiced up" community about the steroid usage by Scottsboro Police Department officers: "Cop's wife snitches on her husbands steroid use:" http://www.steroidology.com/forum/general-chat-forum/612855-cops-wife-snitches-her-husbands-steroid-use.html

November 2011 edition of the "Police Chief's Magazine:"

"Anabolic Steroid Use and Abuse by Police Officers: Policy & Prevention: In addition to the normal health concerns, there is one further issue when discussing abuse of steroids by those in the law enforcement profession. Officers carry weapons, are authorized to use lethal force, and are often involved in physically controlling or restraining people... Considering the legal issues, health effects, and commensurate costs associated with inappropriate use, agencies should proactively address this issue. Rather than look back on what could be an embarrassing “steroid era” of law enforcement—one in which the profession might be riddled with lawsuits, corruption, and claims of heavy-handedness—it is critical to address the current and future impact of this issue head-on." http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1512&issue_id=62008

National Problem - rampant steroid drug abuse by police linked to ‘roid rage, epidemic police brutality, and excessive use of force , possibly 25% of police on steroids: http://prof77.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/police-steroid-drug-abuse/ 

DEA
Steroids are a Controlled substance which falls under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. From the DEA: "Drugs controlled under the Controlled Substances Act, CSA, include opiates, hallucinogens and central nervous system stimulants and depressants. In addition, as a result of the passage of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, anabolic steroids, as a class of drugs, were placed under the CSA effective February 27, 1991."
Link: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2005/fr1216.htm

More information from the DEA on Law Enforcement Abuse of Steroids. "Despite the illegality of taking steroids without a prescription and the known dangers of steroid abuse the problem continues to grow in the law enforcement community. Steroid Abuse by Law Enforcement Personnel - A Guide For Understanding The Dangers Of Anabolic Steroids-" http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/steroids/lawenforcement/

TVA Quarterly Meeting - November 17, 2011 in Starkville, Ms. **Pension Plan Woes, $4.7 Billion Unfunded**

The TVA held its Quarterly Board Meeting yesterday at the Mississippi State University Campus in Starkville, Ms. (Last update Nov 21, 2011)

 Prior to each board Meeting the TVA Board conducts a listening session for citizen stakeholders to express their concerns. There were 9 speakers who spoke including myself. Many spoke on Energy Efficiency. One member of the Mississippi Public Service Commission spoke to the Board about his and others concern about TVA debt. At one point the Mississippi PSC commissioner compared TVA debt accountability to the activities of Enron.

 Below you will find the text of my presentation to the TVA Board. Click on image for an expanded view.

Next you will find the agenda of the meeting with my notes attached. Click on the image for an expanded view.

The following pictures demonstrate TVA's performance. Click on image for an expanded view. (TVA slide presentation link: TVA Presentation  )

DIFFERENT PEN STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS
At yesterdays TVA Board meeting it was reported that TVA's Statutory debt was $24.431 (long and short term debt). TVA's estimated values of financial instruments on page 116 of TVA's Financial Report reflect the following data as of Sep 30, 2011. Long term debt net: Carrying amount of the long term debt- $23.949 billion; Fair Value of the long term debt- $29.190 billion.

Page 63 of the 10K reflects the following Long Term Commitments and Contingencies: Debt-$24.659 billion; interest on the debt-$25.190 billion. Total long term commitments which includes fuel contracts, leases, environmental agreements, litigation, debt, interest and other-$67.415 billion.
Link for 2011 10K http://investor.shareholder.com/tva/secfiling.cfm?filingID=1376986-11-74  (link is no longer valid) 
NOTE - April 23, 2015, The TVA has changed their financial  accounting location address link, The 2011 10K may be found at 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K

Note: TVA's Chief Financial Officers comment and question: The Chief Financial Officer of the TVA, John Thomas, III, stated regarding debt and reporting of financial disclosures, (paraphrased) "we need to perform 'technical accounting' to reflect our financial status." What does "technical accounting" mean vs accurate-lawful accounting?  Was the Mississippi PSC Commissioner's comment above correct?


MORE PENSION PLAN WOES?
On page 121 of the current 10K TVA's Pension Plan demonstrates a $4.709 billion unfunded shortage. Current Pension fund obligations for 2011- $11.255 Billion; fair value of pension fund assets- $6.546 Billion; this leaves a Pension fund shortage of $4.709 Billion. TVA pension plan obligations have increased by $1.1 billion over the FY2010 year.

TVA has stated they intend on selling 2 assets to fund the finishing of the Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant. On this mornings Financial Call the TVA stated they have gained approval for the sale of the Sevier combined Cycle Gas Plant and Watts Bar Nuclear generation assets from Congress. That is not what the TVA Act allows. Note the link and excerpt from the TVA Act below.

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ACT  Section 4(K)(c), quote: "That no land shall be conveyed, leased, or transferred, upon which there is located any...power plants...That no transfer authorized herein...shall be made without the approval of the President of the United States..." The intent of the law is clear to a reasonable person. Prevent the sale of any current or future electrical generation assets and associated properties without the approval of the President of the United States. Congressional approval is not mentioned in the paragraph.


BELLEFONTE CASE before the U.S. Federal Appeals Court, Washington D.C.
Legal case relating to Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant: Pg 138 in TVA's 10K Report; "Case Regarding Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2...Final briefs have been submitted, and oral arguments took place on October 20, 2011."


The TVA under its current leadership is unable to manage the organization without massive debt. TVA's debt must be brought under control. TVA's continued unwise moves into expensive nuclear power will continue to increase TVA's debt.  More images to follow.

TVA IG Report on its debt: September 30, 2011 - History, Status, and Alternatives: TVA Financial Flexibility - 2009-13007-01  Full Report

Energy Efficiency Programs. Click on image for an expanded view.

Article from the Chattanooga Times Free Press by Pam Sohn: "One of TVA’s key goals is to produce low-cost electricity, but the utility’s rates rank 40th in the nation rather than in the top 25 percent where it traditionally had been." Article link: http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/18/tva-ceo-gives-nuke-program-poor-grade/?print

TVA News release link with info concerning the Starkville Meeting: Header- "TVA Cites 2011 Performance, Enhances EnergyRight Program; CEO Pay Unchanged for 2012 "http://www.tva.com/news/releases/octdec11/nov_board/board_meeting.htm

Three Board Members terms expired this year, a departure resolution was presented to these members for appreciation of their service. 1) Chairman Dennis Bottorff of Nashville, Tenn., serves as chairman and partner of Council Ventures, a venture capital firm. He was chairman of AmSouth Bancorporation in Nashville until his retirement in 2001 and previously was chief executive officer of First American Bank. His term expired May 18, 2011. 2) Mike Duncan of Inez, Ky., is chairman, chief executive officer, and director of Community Holding Co.; chairman, CEO, and director of Inez Deposit Bank. He is a director of the regional Center for Rural Development. His term expired May 18, 2011. 3) Tom Gilliland of Blairsville, Ga., recently retired as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of United Community Banks Inc. He is a former chief of staff to Georgia Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard and served as chairman of the Stone Mountain Authority under Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes and Gov. Sonny Perdue. His term expired May 18, 2011.


Press updates to story: Knox News AP Report: "One day after the Tennessee Valley Authority board extended a pay freeze for a second year, a report shows TVA President and CEO Tom Kilgore's compensation increased by $352,000 in fiscal 2011, to $3.95 million." http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/nov/18/despite-freeze-tvas-kilgore-up-352000-in-2011/?partner=newsletter_headlines
Chattanooga Times Free Press report: "The Tennessee Valley Authority will give its average worker a year-end incentive check worth nearly $8,300 next week." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/18/tva-pay-typical-employee-8300-bonus-next-week/ 

TVA's 2 minute film highlighting the year in review. TVA News Channel link: http://www.youtube.com/user/TVANewsVideo

Scottsboro Green - Recycling in Scottsboro

The citizens of Scottsboro have 2 choices for recycling, both are volunteer efforts. Both remove a substantial amount of waste from the Scottsboro landfill waste stream which saves landfill space and saves citizens money. The City of Scottsboro offers volunteer curbside recycling.

A private business venture is also available, "Recycling for Scottsboro," a private broad range recycle program, more information below.

CITY OF SCOTTSBORO curbside recycling. Green Bags for the City of Scottsboro Recycling Program can be picked up at Solid Waste. Contact the folks at Scottsboro's Solid Waste at 256-256-5548 for more information.

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The following is a list of materials currently being collected curbside by the City of Scottsboro:

Cardboard – both corrugated and chipboard (boxes for cereal, laundry detergents, foods, can drinks, etc.) Paper – All paper is recyclable, even shredded; Aluminum Cans; Newspaper & Newspaper Inserts, Junk Mail & Envelopes; Plastic – Bottles and jugs with a #1 or #2 in the triangle on the bottom.  Examples include beverage bottles, shampoo containers, washing agents, etc; Tin & Steel – Cans for food (rinsed, please) and other types of metal. Magazines & Catalogs; Brown paper bag – grocery type; Phone Books

"Recycling for Scottsboro" recycles the same materials as Scottsboro but the recyclable product must be brought to the recycling center or make arrangements for pickup by contacting the good folks at Recycling for Scottsboro at 206 Abbie Lane, across from the County/City animal Control Facility or call 256-259-0639 this private enterprise also recycles-  cooking oil, 5 gallon plastic cooking oil, containers from the restaurants, motor oil, Plastic 1-7, the City takes only 1 and 2, printer cartridges, cell phones, #5 pp plastic, corrugated sign material, glass

Recycling for Scottsboro's drop off facility on Abbie Lane.

PHOTOGRAPHS
From truck to bail, what does 130 tons of curbside recyclable waste look like?

A Scottsboro Solid Waste Division truck loaded with the green curbside bags

Ms. Georgina Brizendine stands by the scale to weigh the incoming truck.

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                            Into the bailer facility the load goes.

     The mixed recyclable waste is bailed into a single bail.

130 tons of curbside recyclable waste, the waste is 5 bales high and extends the entire length of the facilities drive thru bay.

Scottsboro's Solid Waste Department and Bailer Facility at 27150 John T. Reid Parkway.

                  Recycling for Scottsboro Photos, 206 Abbie Lane.

         
 Jason operates the plastics bailer. Type 1 & 2 plastics are separated prior to bailing. Recycling for Scottsboro's business covers a much broader range of materials. They also buy aluminum, copper, etc. Call for more information. 256-259-0639

Paper, glass and cardboard

Recycle Facts, click on image for an expanded view.

Scottsboro City Council - Remembering Buddy

In January 2008 I asked this question of Buddy, "What is your #1 priority for 2008?" This was Buddy's reply,"There are several issues which are priorities. We must get our spending under control, oversight of the departments are important. All city employees must work and pull together, particularly in the Mayors absence. The city's employees and officials must be united to accomplish the peoples business."

Buddy Simmons served the citizens of Scottsboro as a Fireman, retiring as a Captain after 28 years of service. Buddy continued his service to the citizens of Scottsboro as a City Councilman, 2004-2008. Buddy has responded to that final call which we all must make. But not all can say they served the citizens of Scottsboro in such a distinguished manner as Buddy Simmons

"A memorial service will be held for Simmons Thursday, at 3 p.m., at Scottsboro Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jackson County Christmas Charities in care of Jackson County Department of Human Resources, 205 Liberty Lane, Scottsboro, Al. 35769." The DAILY SENTINEL's Obituary link: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_bc633988-0f0e-11e1-855d-001cc4c03286.html

City council Agenda, click on image for an expanded view.